Ford to retool truck plants

Ford Motor Co. is planning to shift entire truck plants to car production in a bid to keep up with changing consumer demand in the United States, according to sources familiar with the company's plans, a dependent on profits from pickups and sport utility vehicles.

Ford is apparently scrambling right now to figure out how to quickly re-tool truck assembly plants churning out trucks that no one wants in order to build cars that they can't get enough of. The Fiesta is the first; shifting from the F-150s it currently builds to Ford's new mini from the Mexican plant that will build the Fiesta. . But Ford has plenty of other mostly idle plants that CEO Alan Mullaly wants to see turning out some of the company's popular European models like the Mondeo and the Focus. Plant managers and local union leaders are apparently going to be gathering in Dearborn on Friday to help work out a plan to shift the product mix to where it needs to be in a world of $4+ gasoline.

The key of all of this is the European lineup. While the Ford Fusion (and its siblings) is getting a major refresh later this year, the full redesign that will happen a couple years down the road will see it converge once again with the Mondeo. Meanwhile, the Focus that had its second best month ever in May will get replaced by the European version in 2011. Also the Ohio plant that builds the big E-Series vans will also switch over to the smaller Transit van. Ford should be outlining the full plan next month.

Hot-selling Ford Focus at American Idol

The hot-selling Ford Focus debuts a new coupe version for the 2009 model year Wednesday on American’s hottest television show – “American Idol.” This marks the first time Ford has ever revealed a new product on prime time television.

“Focus is the little car that delivers in a big way for customers, with 35 mpg fuel economy, cool features including SYNC, a fun drive, strong quality and the right price,” said John Felice, Ford Division group marketing manager. “We’ve built on those strengths to deliver an even sportier coupe version for 2009 and thought the ‘American Idol’ debut would be a new way for customers to see the upgrades for themselves.”

The new Focus coupe can be seen for the first time during the Wednesday broadcast of “American Idol” on FOX, which airs at 9 p.m. EST.

Ford has released images of its new 2009 Focus coupe along with an announcement that it plans to show off the car to the wider American public during tomorrow’s episode of the hugely popular American Idol. The Ford brass should cross its fingers that Paula doesn’t accidentally call it a Chevy.

The new coupe version of the surprisingly popular Focus offers most prominently a restyle, inspired in part by Ford customer feedback. Thankfully the ungainly chrome fender vents from the standard Focus have been eighty-sixed, with the coupe offering a less cluttered, if slightly slab-sided profile. There’s also a new front fascia, a pair of fog lamps, and a set of really nice 17-inch “Dark Chrome” wheels.

Under the hood the Focus coupe will offer drivers a bit more power thanks to a sport-tuned exhaust. That boost with a new final drive ratio (in the SES automatic) will make the coupe faster to 60 mph from a standstill, while still being rated for 35 miles per gallon.

Ford’s PRESS RELEASE: GEOFF POLITES, CEO OF JAGUAR LAND ROVER, DIES

DEARBORN, Mich., April 20, 2008 – Geoff Polites, chief executive officer of Jaguar Land Rover, has died peacefully in his home country of Australia. He was 60.Mr. Polites, who is credited with leading the team that returned the Jaguar Land Rover business back to profitability and successfully steering it through its ongoing sale process to Tata Motors, had been battling serious illness for the past two years.

"Geoff’s untimely passing robs his family and friends of a man who was a real inspiration to us all,” said Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer, Ford Motor Company. ” His drive and determination, combined with his clear sense of vision for the business, played a huge role in turning round the business at Jaguar Land Rover and returning it to profitability. Geoff ensured that Jaguar Land Rover was not distracted and continued to focus on the fundamentals of the business during the recent sale process, despite at the time also fighting his own personal health battle.

"He was a trusted colleague and someone who was much respected not just by his peers but by all who had the privilege to work with him. Our sympathies are with his wife and family at this difficult time,” said Mulally.

Lewis Booth, executive vice president responsible for Ford Motor Company’s businesses in Europe, said: "For many of us at Ford and Jaguar Land Rover, we’ve lost not just a respected colleague but a great friend.

"Geoff was always someone to look up to throughout his almost 40-year career in the automotive industry. His passion for the car business was legend, but the resolve he showed since taking over as CEO of Jaguar Land Rover in 2005 was something very special."His leadership of the team that has put the Jaguar Land Rover business back into profitability has been exceptional. Geoff has given Jaguar Land Rover the solid foundation and established the strong management team it needs for a successful future. We will miss our friend very much.”

David Smith, Jaguar Land Rover’s chief financial officer, will take over as the acting chief executive officer at Jaguar Land Rover until a successor is appointed.

When Car Meets Art

Take a set of Nissan parts. Make sure that these parts, when put together, would make a complete vehicle. While putting the vehicle together, make sure that you insert a little bit of art.  

That is possibly what Nissan North America did last October when it introduced its project -- Cube-ism: Automobile Meets Art. It is a project that Nissan has with the help of some students from the Brooks Institute and from the Pratt Institute. The main aim of this project is to help introduce the Nissan Cube to the US auto market, the Auto Channel reported.  

With Cube-ism, Nissan would be able to make a good campaign that would make use of films and print media. These would help bring consumers in the US auto market to the Nissan Cube which is known to have been completed with art, uniqueness, and style inserted in it.  

Bruce Campbell is Nissan Design America’s VP for design and he says, “The students are bringing such creative and unique concepts to this project. Nissan places high value on fresh thinking and innovative design - in our own studios and outside our industry. We've really enjoyed working with these students and are very excited to see the final output.”  

Also Rich Fortinberry adds his thoughts on Cube-ism: “What is most exciting about this project is the innovative way Nissan is remaining true to the spirit of the Cube.” Fortinberry is a faculty member of the film department at Brooks.  

Two Ford Models Get Green Labels

It’s been one of the hottest issues this week.  The news denying that the Toyota Prius is the world’s greenest car, remember?  Before your car collides with a truck that will surely damage your bumper, you better concentrate on your driving now.  I won’t keep you guessing anymore.  What I’m talking about is the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)’s Green Book Online which features the Top 12 Greenest and Meanest Vehicles for 2008 as well as the “Greener Choices 2008.”   

At ford.com, Ford expressed great honor upon receiving two recognitions from ACEEE, an independent and non-profit organization that advocates energy-efficiency through environmental protection. 

The Ford Focus, with its 2.0-liter 4 cylinder Duratec engine,  got the 9^th spot in ACEEE’s  Top 12 Greenest Vehicles, next to Honda Civic GX, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid,  SmartForTwo, Toyota Yaris,  Nissan Altima Hybrid, Toyota Corolla and Mini Cooper or Clubman.  The Toyota Camry Hybrid, the Honda Civic and the Honda Fit also received ACEEE’s green label.

On the sidelight, the Ford Escape Hybrid having a 2.3-liter engine got a green score of 42, just 11 points lower than the top-scorer Toyota Prius.  Reduced emissions plus environment-friendly seating fabric balanced with a battery made out of nickel-metal hydride, brakes capable of regenerating and 34 miles per gallon (MPG) in the city.  These are some of the Ford Escape Hybrid’s green features that gave it the privilege to be ranked among other famous eco-friendly vehicles such as the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid, SmartForTWo convertible or coupe, Honda Fit, Hyundai Sonata, Subaru Outback Wagon, Nissan Rogue, Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Sienna, Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid C1500 and the Nissan Frontier.  

Sue Cischke, Ford Motor Company’s senior vice president for Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering said that the two vehicles just represent Ford products which suit the consumers’ demands for reduced fuel consumption, excellent driving performance and lasting value.

Meanwhile, ACEEE Transportation Director Therese Langer said that this year’s results really made a positive impact on Ford which regained its reputation for producing fuel-efficient cars.